Chennai, Feb 4 (UNI) Veteran and versatile playback singer Vani Jayaram,
who has sung more than 10,000 songs in over 1,000 films across various
Indian langauges in a career spanning five decades, passed away on Saturday
afternoon.
The renowned singer, who had sung in 19 languages and mesmerised the
audience across the country with her mellifluous voice, was 78.
She was recently conferred the prestigious Padma Bhushan award, the third
highest civilian honour, by the Union Government on the Republic Day.
Vani Jayaram, who had thrice received National awards for best play backsinger,
the first being in 1975 for her songs in K.Balachander's 'Aboorva Raagangal'
after making her debut in Tamil film in 1973 and the second six years later in the
evergreen musical hit Telugu film 'Shankarabaranam', was staying alone in an
apartment at the Haddows Road in Nungambakkam area in the city.
According to her servant maid, who was working in her residence for
the last 10 years, when she came to work around 11.00 am, she rang
the calling bell several times but there was no response.
'Even she was not responding to the mobile calls', the maid Malarkodi
told reporters.
So, she informed Vani Jayaram's sister residing at Alwarpet area and
informed the police.
Police personnel from the Thousand Lights Police station rushed to her
house and opened the door using a duplicate key from Uma, who had
also reached by then.
Police said, initially, it seemed that Vani Jairam had a fall and her head
might have hit a table. There was a slight injury mark on her forehead.
Her body was shifted to the Government Hospital for post-mortem.
Police have registered a case of unnautral death and commenced
an investigation to ascertain the cause of her death.
A team of forensic experts also visited the house as part of the probe.
The Tamil and Telugu film industry, including music composers, lyricists,
condoled her death
Political leaders, including Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K.Stalin, BJP
State President K.Annamalai, Tamil Maanila Congress of G.K.Vasan
condoled the death of Vani Jayaram.
In his message, Stalin expressed deep anguish on hearing about the
news of the death of the Music queen.
The melody singer, who had etched in the hearts of her fans by singing
more than 10,000 songs, he said he had recently greeted her for being
chosen for the Padma Bhushan award.
'It is tragic that she passed away before getting the award", the Chief
Minister said.
Terming her death as an irreparable and big loss to the music world,
Stalin offered his deepest and heartfelt condolences to her family
members and her fans.
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